Retirement

[VodkaDilc]

Just to let you all know I'm retiring in two days' time. After just over 60 years in educational institutions, I'm finally going to "get a life".

We must be very close in age. I believe I began school at Easter 1954 and the termly routine has provided the structure for my life since then - until last summer. Even after retiring (early! - don't all teachers have to retire early these days?), I carried on with a couple of days a week, dropping to one more recently. Then, last summer, I suddenly knew I'd had enough. I can't recommend retirement more highly. Booking holidays in term time, with much reduced fares, is just one benefit.

I think we are lucky in having interests whch we are now able to pursue in depth. I feel that my father's and grandfather's generation concentrated on work and then found themselves at a loss when they retired - and many went to seed and died prematurely.

Many congratulations to Eine A.

[vinteuil]

... when I were nobbut a little lad - seven or eight, I dessay - the mater asked my two elder brothers and me "What we wanted to do when we grew up" - eldest son, "I want to be an airline pilot"; second son, "I want to be a pleeceman"; me - "I want to retire... "

How presciently wise was I !

I took very early retirement from government service when I was forty two; then had quite a few years as a part-time cultural bureaucrat until I was fifty six - since when six years of proper retirement as a Full-Time Gentleman Of Leisure. And retirement is just the best. All the things I really wanted to do have happened in this period.

So very best wishes to young Alpensinfonie, and to all starting out on the great delights of deserved leisure before the inevitable arrival of the Great Perhaps...

[Nick Armstrong]

...when I were &c &c...

Post of the day?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I am appreciative and moved by all your kind comments.

[Radio64]

Just to let you all know I'm retiring in two days' time. After just over 60 years in educational institutions, I'm finally going to "get a life".

Congrats! .. and complimenti for your 60 years of hard labour.

Getting a life? No more R3 forum then?

[VodkaDilc]

I am appreciative and moved by all your kind comments.

Out of school by 3.27 on your penultimate day! I'm impressed.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Out of school by 3.27 on your penultimate day! I'm impressed.

The carol service finished at 3.15.

Re starting school in 1954, I started in late October, having just moved from East Lancashire. I remember feeling very lonely as everyone else had already made friends.

[VodkaDilc]

The carol service finished at 3.15.

Re starting school in 1954, I started in late October, having just moved from East Lancashire. I remember feeling very lonely as everyone else had already made friends.

My birthday's in May, so presumably we started in the term in which we reached the age of 5.

My favourite comment from parents just after the Carol Service was always "You obviously enjoy every minute." Well yes, for the first few years; after that, being a good actor comes in handy.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

[Hitch]

Many congratulations on your retirement; may it be a long and happy one. Incidentally, your enthusiasm (and username) prompted me to explore my uncharted hinterland and discover a snow-capped peak somewhere in far-flung Teutonia. I owe a deal of enjoyment and solace to your advocacy.

[Dave2002]

Congrats! .. and complimenti for your 60 years of hard labour.

Getting a life? No more R3 forum then?

Surely that can't be right, and also child labour went out years ago - didn't it? |! You make it all sound difficult, and MrGG has pointed out that it doesn't necessarily have to have been. For some it might seem like a long stretch in prison, and others may actually have enjoyed it.

To those who are not enjoying their work, and still have (say) 10 to 15 years to go I'd say that it's not too late to move on, change, try something else, though sometimes constraints are such that there really isn't much choice.

[MrGongGong]

To those who are not enjoying their work, and still have (say) 10 to 15 years to go I'd say that it's not too late to move on, change, try something else, though sometimes constraints are such that there really isn't much choice.

Some people always like to complain about how tricky and onerous their work is.
For some folks, it REALLY is
BUT for most people it's not that bad OR (as Dave suggests) there is the option of change.

Working out what really are constraints as opposed to excuses is a tricky part.

BUT (as before)

Hope you enjoy your well earned retirement and have many years of music to look forward to

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

BUT for most people it's not that bad OR (as Dave suggests) there is the option of change.

Very true. I decided I wanted to get out of classroom teaching 1n 1996, when the job had become more about impressing Ofsted than about inspiring young people. It meant a pay cut, but working for a music service was the right choice at that time. But now, I think classroom teaching would be the better choice.

[MrGongGong]

Very true. I decided I wanted to get out of classroom teaching 1n 1996, when the job had become more about impressing Ofsted than about inspiring young people. It meant a pay cut, but working for a music service was the right choice at that time. But now, I think classroom teaching would be the better choice.

I've met several teachers who have done the same thing.
Leaving the ship before the whole music hub thing hits the iceberg might be a good plan IMV (not everywhere, of course)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I've met several teachers who have done the same thing.
Leaving the ship before the whole music hub thing hits the iceberg might be a good plan IMV (not everywhere, of course)

Quite a few have done that already. It's the unqualified ones who are remaining.